Peter Marquis, Electric Vehicle Technician

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What I do

I work in the workshop of a Porsche dealership. I maintain and repair cars which are petrol, diesel and fully electric.

My job can involve anything from routine servicing to diagnosing faults and repairing complex systems.

I’m also a high voltage expert, which means I’m trained to work safely on the powerful battery systems inside electric vehicles.

These batteries can run at around 800 volts, so specialist training and safety equipment are essential.

Electric Vehicle Technician Pete, working under the hood of a car, in the garage.

How I became a technician

For my GCSE options at school, I chose ICT, history and German. Even back then, I enjoyed practical work more than sitting at a desk.

The turning point for me was at a two-week work experience placement in a local garage while I was still at school.

That experience really sparked my interest in working with cars, and more hands-on work with lots of problem solving.

How I became a technician

After finishing my GCSEs, I went to college and studied a vocational course in light vehicle maintenance.

I completed two Levels over two years, which taught me the basics of how cars work and how to service and repair them.

After college, I applied for an apprenticeship at a tyre company.

How I became a technician

I started as a tyre fitter and worked my way up to becoming a service technician. The apprenticeship normally took two years, but I completed it in 18 months.

I stayed there for around six and a half years, gaining experience and learning how to work on hybrid vehicles as well. Then, I saw a job advertised at Porsche.

I applied, even though I wasn’t sure I would get it. Luckily, they offered me the role, and I’ve been working here ever since.

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A typical day in my working life

I usually arrive at work at about 8:15am. I change into my work boots, grab a cup of tea and start work at 8:30am.

The jobs I get can vary a lot. In the morning, I often work on vehicle servicing. On electric cars this might include a multi-point inspection, checking tyres, topping up fluids like screen wash and replacing the pollen filter – the filter that cleans the air going into the cabin.

A typical day in my working life

Later in the day, I might move on to repairs. Sometimes that’s something straightforward like replacing brakes. Other times it involves diagnosing a fault in an electrical system or investigating a customer complaint.

For electric vehicles, the repairs can be much more complex. In some cases, I might remove a battery or repair a high voltage component.

A typical day in my working life

I also prepare cars for their MOT tests, checking things like tyres, suspension, brakes and the condition of the battery housing.

My day usually finishes at about 5pm.

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Electric Vehicle Technician Pete, in the garage, working with high voltage equipment on a tabletop, wearing a full arc flash suit, including face visor and insulated rubber gloves.

What I love about my job

I’ve always loved cars, even when I was very young. That’s why working at Porsche feels special.

I get to work on luxury and sports cars that many people see as their dream vehicles. Being able to work on them every day is something I’m really proud of.

I also enjoy the variety. Every vehicle has a completely different issue. One day I might be doing routine servicing and the next I might be diagnosing a complicated electrical problem.

Another thing I enjoy is the challenge. Fault finding is like solving a puzzle – you have to work through the information and figure out what is causing the problem.

The skills I use most

Safety is one of the most important skills in my job, especially when working on electric vehicles. Some of the systems operate at around 800 volts, so we have to follow strict procedures and wear protective clothing.

Problem solving is also a big part of the job. Vehicles often arrive with faults that aren’t obvious, so I have to work through tests and eliminate possible causes until I find the issue.

Teamwork is really important too. Sometimes I need help from a colleague who has seen a similar problem before. Good communication helps us solve problems faster.

Finally, being good with your hands and paying attention to detail is essential because some parts are large and heavy, while others are small and delicate.

I get to work on luxury and sports cars that many people see as their dream vehicles.

Fault finding is like solving a puzzle – you have to work through the information and figure out what is causing the problem.

Believe in yourself and commit to what you want to do. If you work hard and keep improving your skills, opportunities will come.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

Our workshop has around 18 technicians. We also have a workshop controller who manages the flow of work and a service manager who oversees the whole team.

One thing I like about the team is the range of experience. Some technicians have been working in the industry for decades, while others are apprentices just starting out.

Now I’m more experienced, I look after an apprentice myself. He works alongside me during the day and helps with the jobs I’m doing so he can learn how everything works.

Helping someone learn the trade is really rewarding. Seeing him progress and eventually move on to working more independently was a proud moment.

My favourite piece of equipment

One of the most useful tools I use is the diagnostic machine provided by Porsche. It connects directly to the vehicle’s computer systems. Modern cars have lots of electronic control units – small computers that manage different parts of the vehicle.

The diagnostic tool allows me to run tests, read data and identify faults inside the vehicle’s systems. It helps narrow down the cause of a problem much faster than trying to investigate everything manually.

What I like to do in my spare time

Cars are still a big interest for me outside work as well. I’ve always been passionate about them. Another big hobby of mine is football. I support Newcastle United because that’s where my dad is originally from.

I also enjoy spending time with friends. Many of us grew up locally, so we still meet up regularly and spend time together. I’m married as well, so a lot of my spare time is spent with my wife and our friends.

My school days

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time hanging out with friends. We often met locally to play pool, go bowling or play football on nearby fields.

Even then, I was interested in how things worked. I used to take things apart to see what was inside, which probably explains why I ended up working with machines later on.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

One of my proudest achievements was gaining my Porsche silver technician qualification. I had to travel to Porsche headquarters and complete a practical assessment.

There were three vehicles in the workshop, and each one had a different fault, and I had about 45 minutes per vehicle to diagnose the problem. That was quite scary! Passing that assessment felt like a huge achievement.

A surprising fact about my job

One surprising thing about working on electric vehicles is just how powerful the systems are. Some of the batteries operate at around 800 volts. When we work on them, we have to wear specialist protective clothing, including insulated boots, gloves and a full protective suit.

We also place safety barriers around the vehicle so everyone in the workshop knows high voltage work is happening. It’s very different from what people imagine when they think about working in a normal garage.

The next steps in my career journey

At the moment, I’m a silver level technician with Porsche. The next step is to work towards the gold level qualification.

I also want to keep building my experience with electric vehicles and high voltage systems because that technology is becoming more important in the automotive industry.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

The biggest advice I’d give is to believe in yourself and commit to what you want to do.

When I applied for my job at Porsche, I wasn’t sure if I was good enough, but I went for it anyway. If you work hard and keep improving your skills, opportunities will come.

I’d also say treat people well and build good relationships. In a workshop you often rely on your colleagues for help and advice, so teamwork really matters.